Illuminated sign

ABSTRACT

A device for storing, displaying, and illuminating selected message-carrying signs having a bracket adapted to receive a battery where a tubular receptacle for storing such signs is secured to the bracket and carries means for displaying the signs. A light removably connected to the bracket is provided to illuminate the signs in place in the display means.

United States Patent Gray June 13, 1972 [54] 3,415,519 12/1968 Hand ..40/125 H X [72] Inventor: Rowland H. Gray, 303 Sparks Avenue, FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS Jeffersonville, lnd. 47130 1,013,083 7/1952 France ..40/129 C [22] mm 1969 1,039,945 10/1953 France ..40/129 c [21] Appl. No.: 833,096 97,551 2/1923 Switzerland ..40/129 C Primary E.\'aminer.lerome Schnall 12H Ef'ifiiiiiiiiiiii'"'"'"'""11:1:if???3973????521232 Assistante-ammer-Richardcm [58] Fleldofsflll'ch ..40/1251'1,1251,125C.129C,

40/129, 130, 130 c, 129 A; 240/04, 10.66 [57] ABSTRACT v A device for storing, displaying, and illuminating selected [56] References and message-carrying signs having a bracket adapted to receive a UNITED STATES PATENTS battery where a tubular receptacle for storing such signs is secured to the bracket and cames means for d1splay1ng the 841,800 1/1907 signs. A light removably connected to the bracket is provided 1,352,349 l to illuminate the signs in place in the display means. 2,320,917 6/1943 3,208,173 9/1965 Shank ..40/129 C 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEnJum m2 3,668,797

- SHEET 1 or 2 INVENTOR. flaw/and H @"ay ATTORNEY PATENTEDJUN 1 3 I972 sum 2 or 2 MW 7 M M 2 .n M A 0 M f ILLUMINATED SIGN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Previous illuminated signs have in general included heavy, bulky, frame members adapted to receive rigid signs where a sign illuminating device is securely fixed to the frame member.

Such devices have been very expensive and, because of the overall design, it has been difficult to change the signs without removing a portion of the frame member so such devices are not conveniently used in applications where a portable device is necessary to change the signs frequently. 1

Moreover, such previous devices have not provided mean for attaching the sign display apparatus to selected surfaces for use under adverse conditions or unusual circumstances and have not provided means for separating the illuminating device from the sign to provide better illumination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an inexpensive device with a minimum number of parts, which can be made almost entirely of plastic, to display and illuminate selected signs where the signs are easily stored and securely displayed. Furthermore, the present invention provides a sign display device where the signs can be easily changed. a i Moreover, the present invention provides an apparatus which is conveniently fastened to selected surfaces of unusual contour for exhibition of message carrying signs which can be displayed under adverse or unusual circumstances, and where the illuminating device can be affixed to a surface a selected distance from the sign display to provide proper illumination for the sign.

Various other features of the present invention will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinafter.

More particularly, the present invention provides an illuminated' message display apparatus comprising: a bracket adapted to receive a battery; a tubular sign receptacle secured to the bracket member having outwardly extending, cooperative arm memberswith groove means to receive selected stiff edged message carrying sign means; base means fastened to said bracket member to secure said bracket means to: a selected surface so the bracket means and receptacle are disposed in a selected position; and, light means connected to said battery meansby flexible conduit meansto receive electrical power from said battery to illuminate said sign means.

It is to be understood that the example of the present invention given hereinafter is not by way of limitation and that the example can be modified in various ways within the scopeof the invention.

Referring now to the figures whichshow one example of the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a detailed perspective view of an example of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of one light which can be used with apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and,

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example of a device as shown in FIG. 1 in use on an automobile.

Referring now to FIG. ,1 which shows an example of a device in accordance with the present invention including a bracket 1, which for example can be injection molded plastic, adapted to receive abattery 5. A light .hook 2 adapted to secure light handle 27, as hereinafter described, is carried by bracket 1 and separated therefrom by means of a spacer block 3 to advantageously provide a selected spacing between the portion of hook 2 which secures handle 27,. hereinafter described, and bracket 1.

A base member 4, for example a suction cup as shown, is connected to bracket 1 by means of a bolt 6 and is provided to fasten the device to a selected surface to display selected message carrying signs as hereinafter described.

Terminal posts 8 of battery 5 are used to secure bracket 1 to battery 5 and, as is known in the art, to provide connection between the terminals of battery 5 and flexible lead wires 7.

A handle 10 is carried by bracket 1 to provide convenient means for carrying the device.

A tubular sign receptacle 11 is removably connected to bracket 1 by means of arms 9 which are adapted to be fastened to terminals 8 of bracket 1.

Receptacle 11 can, for example, be of molder or extruded plastic and is adapted to receive signs, for example of plastic, which can be rolled up and inserted into the receptacle. One end of the receptacle can be closed and the opposite end can be threaded and adapted to receive a cap 19 as shown.

Brackets 12 can be provided at opposite ends of the receptacle to receive laterally extending arms where, as shown,

arms. 13 can be pinned into the brackets to permit pivotal movement of the arms from a position against receptacle 11 to a position extending laterally outwardly-from the receptacle.

Various means can be provided to secure arms 13 in selected position such for example as shown, arms 13 can carry a detent, for example a spring loaded ball member 17. A cooperative aperature for example a depression 18, can be selectively provided at the inner'surface of brackets 12 to receive the detent to retain arms 13 in selected positions relative to receptacle ll. 5

A groove 16 can be provided in each arm 13, as shown, to receive the signs to be exhibited, as hereinafter described.

Referring now to FIG. 2 which shows one example of a light which can be used with an apparatus in accordance with the present invention, the light 21 includes an off-on switch 22 and can include a steady beam bulb 28 as well as flasher bulbs 29 where the flasher mechanism (not shown) can be provided within the light casing.

A handle 27 is provided so that the light can be conveniently used to provide illumination for subjects other than signs if so desired.

A base means, for example, a suction cup 23, can be provided to secure the light on a selected surface to illuminate the sign carried by the arms of receptacle 11. The light 21 is connected to battery 5 by means of lead wires 7, as hereinbefore described, which can, advantageously be long enough to allow a maximum desired separationbetween the signs carried by arms 13 and light 21.

lnone example of the present invention magnets 24 can be provided in suction cup 23 to provide additional means for securing light 21 to selected surfaces.

Referring now to FIG. 3 which shows a device in accordance with the present invention secured to a car, bracket 1 is fastened to the top of the car and light 21 has been fastened to the car 30 aselected distance from bracket 1 so light 21 illuminates a sign'3l whichis inserted in arms 13 of bracket assembly.

Signs 31 can be of stiff plastic thick enough to be retained by grooves 16 of arms 13 and yet thin'enough to be conveniently rolled up to be inserted into receptacle 11 for storage. The signs can be clear so light from light 21 shines through the sign or the signs can be opaque so the light is not transmitted through the signs.

The messages printed on the signs can be selected for the application of the particular device. For example one set of signs can be provided for use with automobiles as shown in the figures and different sets of signs can be provided for other applications, for example for use with boats.

The invention claimed is:

1. An illuminated message display device comprising: a bracket adapted to receive a battery; a tubular sign receiving receptacle secured to said bracket and having outwardly extending, cooperative, arm members to receive selected message carrying sign means; base means fastened to said bracket means to secure said bracket means to a selected surface so said bracket means and said receptacle 'are disposed in a selected position; and, light means connected to said battery means by flexible conduit means so said light receives power from said battery to illuminate said sign means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arm means have longitudinally extending groove means to receive said sign selected surface at a selected distance from said bracket means.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arm means are pivotable connected to said receptacle means for movement from a position adjacent said receptacle to a position extending generally transversely outwardly from said receptacle.

* l II II 

1. An illuminated message display device comprising: a bracket adapted to receive a battery; a tubular sign receiving receptacle secured to said bracket and having outwardly extending, cooperative, arm members to receive selected message carrying sign means; base means fastened to said bracket means to secure said bracket means to a selected surface so said bracket means and said receptacle are disposed in a selected position; and, light means connected to said battery means by flexible conduit means so said light receives power from said battery to illuminate said sign means.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arm means have longitudinally extending groove means to receive said sign means and wherein said sign means are of stiff materials to support said sign in said groove means.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said base means includes suction cup means to fasten said bracket means to said selected surface.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light means includes suction cup means to secure said light means to a selected surface at a selected distance from said bracket means.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said arm means are pivotable connected to said receptacle means for movement from a position adjacent said receptacle to a position extending generally transversely outwardly from said receptacle. 